Chapter 18: Valentine's Day Part I

A/N: This chapter has been revised due to an editing snafu. 2.06.06

It was finally the day Draco and, unknown to him, Harry had been preparing for. Over a month's worth of planning on both their parts would finally (hopefully) come to fruition.

Draco needed to see Hermione about some last minute details. Harry was in the shower as Draco was getting dressed for the day. He knocked on the bathroom door.

"Harry?"

"Yes?"

"I have to go out and take care of some business."

"What time will you be home?"

"About 6 but no later than 7."

"Where's Keiron?"

"Taking advantage of the day off from classes to help Molly with those grandchildren of hers."

"So I'm not making dinner, then."

"Sorry, love." Draco apologized.

"It's okay, Draco. I'm not upset." Harry reassured him.

"A kiss before I go?" Silence was his answer until Harry opened the door. Draco hardened at the very sight of a wet and naked Harry Potter. His hair was plastered to his head, dripping water all over his body. It was apparent he wasn't finished with his shower. Draco watched a water droplet snaked a trail down his chest to pool in his navel. He was practically salivating.

"Like what you see?" he smirked, seeing the look in Draco's eye.

"Merlin's beard, Harry! You'd make a monk give up his vows with a body like that!" Draco exclaimed, making Harry laugh huskily. The sound made Draco's cock twitch in his pants.

Harry stepped close enough for Draco to smell the soap he'd been using, a nice woodsy smell. Harry wrapped his arms around Draco's neck and kissed him hungrily.

"That should give you something to think about for the rest of the day." Harry whispered, nipping at Draco's bottom lip.

"Git." Draco growled, playfully slapping Harry on his ass.

"And you love it." Harry grinned before going back into the bathroom.

Hermione is going to kill me for being late. He thought to himself as he followed his lover, flinging his clothing off as he went. After some intense foreplay, he sank into Harry with a moan. But this is so fucking worth being late for.

Hermione was pacing back and forth in her living room when he finally appeared.

"I'm going to kill you for being late!" she stated.

"I got...distracted." Draco blushed.

"It couldn't wait?"

"If you had a wet and naked Ronald in your arms kissing the hell out of you, what would you do?" he retorted. It was her turn to blush.

"I see your point." she nodded. "So are you ready for this?"

"I'm more than ready." Draco nodded.

"Then let's go." On the count of 5, they Apparated.

About 30 minutes later, Ron was the one pacing the living room waiting for Harry to arrive.

"I was getting worried, mate." Ron exclaimed when Harry finally made an appearance.

"Sorry, Ron. I got a little sidetracked." Harry grinned.

"I don't want to know about your sex life, Potter." Ron smirked.

"Weasley, you have 3 kids with Merlin knows how many more on the way. I think you should be the one gloating about an active sex life." Harry laughed.

"Ah, you do have a point there." Ron chuckled. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

"I think I've always been ready, Ron. Today just seems perfect for it. Where's Hermione, anyway?"

"Said she had papers to mark. I'll see her later. Where's your better half?"

"Business thing. I guess Keiron is taking advantage of canceled classes and helping your mum with the grandchildren."

"Why did McGonagall cancel classes today anyway?"

"I never asked and she never said so I left it alone." Harry shrugged.

"Did you ask her what you wanted her to do for you?"

"No. That was my first stop on today's list actually."

"Then let's go!" Ron exclaimed. "Day's a'wasting!"

Hermione and Draco had just Apparated away from Hogwarts to muggle London just as Ron and Harry Apparated to Hogwarts. The 2 groups missed seeing each other by mere seconds.

Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, was smiling to herself.

You see...not one day before, Draco Malfoy had just asked for her permission to hold a Wizard Life-Bonding ceremony near the lake of the school on Valentine's Day. She'd given it without hesitation on the condition that she be the one to perform the ceremony between him and Harry. He was surprised she knew who the other groom was but consented to her condition.

Draco and Hermione returned this very day to make sure everything was ready.

"All is ready, Mr Malfoy." she told him. "I've even canceled classes for today so the other students and faculty could attend."

"What did you tell them?" Hermione asked.

"I told them that they have a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness a Wizard bonding ceremony. I just didn't tell them who it was who would be bonding." she smiled.

"That's fine with me, Headmistress." Draco nodded.

"Draco, I hope you don't think I'm terribly forward but I also took the liberty of owling your old classmates to see if I could get some of them to come this evening."

"Really?" Draco was shocked and pleased. He hadn't seen or talked to any of them in nearly 11 years.

"Yes. I got all the replies back today." She pointed to a pile of rolled parchments on the corner of her desk. "About 98 of your graduating class will be attending this evening. I expect them all around 5."

"The other 2 said no?" Hermione wondered.

"Neville and Pansy Longbottom send their blessing and apology that they won't be here this evening as they are preparing for the arrival of their first-born son." McGonagall smiled.

"Pansy and Longbottom got married?" Draco exclaimed with some surprise.

"They've been happily married going on 5 years now. I assumed Pansy told you or at least invited you to the wedding." Hermione told him. Draco's eyes filled with sadness.

"I lost touch with Pansy shortly after the war ended." he sighed. "I would have liked to see her again."

"Our 10-year class reunion is coming in a few months. I don't think wild Thestrals could keep her away from that. Away from you." Hermione smiled. Draco was heartened by that and smiled in return.

"If you have no other concerns, I must ask your forgiveness if I rush you out. I have another meeting scheduled." The Headmistress told them. Draco and Hermione thanked her and left.

Exactly 5 minutes later, Harry and Ron entered her office.

"Mr Weasley, Harry." she nodded.

"Professor, I have a favor to ask of you." Harry began.

"Ask, Harry, and I'll see if I can grant it."

"Would you be willing to perform a Wizard Life-bonding ceremony this evening between me and Draco?"

"Harry I would love to!" she smiled, feigning excitement.

"You would? Just like that? No questions asked?"

"Harry, I love you like me own. Of course I would do this for you." He went around the desk and hugged her tight, his eyes misting over with tears. Then he stepped back and quickly wiped his eyes. Minerva's eyes were suspiciously moist as well.

"Thank you, Professor." Harry smiled.

"Now, Harry. I know this is last minute but maybe I can send some emergency owls and see if any of your classmates would like to attend the festivities?"

"That would be brilliant!" Ron exclaimed. "Need any help?"

"No. I'll be fine. You two go out and finish whatever you need to finish before this evening. I should have everything set by 6."

"Sunset. That's perfect." Harry smiled. Both young men thanked her for her blessing and help before leaving.

She watched them Apparate outside the wards and chuckled to herself.

"Minerva McGonagall, you are a sly old witch." came an amused chuckle behind her.

"I learned from the best." she smiled fondly.

"He would be proud to see his two favorite pupils getting married."

"I know." She turned to look at her guest. "What about you?"

"It took me some time but I've come to accept it. I just hope they continue to make each other happy. Merlin knows they deserve it."

"That they do. And I've no doubt that they will make each other happy until the end of their days." she smiled.

"And the other pair?"

"I think something significant will make them realize they're soulmates."

"Do Harry and Draco know they're soul-mated?"

"No. They'll find that out once they bond."

"Will it be a true soul bond?"

"Yes it will." she nodded. She saw the look on the other's face. "Now don't look like that. You just said you accepted it."

"Doesn't mean I have to like it."

"Oh stop. You know you're happy for them so don't pretend with me." Her companion sighed.

"I am happy. I just hope I can attain forgiveness for my actions of the past."

"Have patience. It will come when you least expect it." McGonagall smiled.

A/N: -ominous music plays- Dum dum dum duuuuuuum! Who is she talking to? And who is the other pair of soulmates? Will Harry and Draco realize they both want to get married on Valentine's Day without even checking with each other to see of they want to get married? What will happen when they realize it? Curious questions indeed! -cackles with evil laughter- Stay tuned for the second half of this chapter! We're getting to the end of this tale, my faithful readers!

A/N #2: If you have been following this story at AdultFanFiction-dot-net, it seems the ability to add and edit stories has been disabled until March 1st due to virus issues. So sorry about that but I think we'd all rather be safe than sorry. Quick thinking on the part of the Administrators over there.